Alex Rodriguez benched again

TORONTO -- Alex Rodriguez has been benched for the second straight game byYankeesmanager Joe Girardi, who would not guarantee that Rodriguez would be in the lineup on Wednesday either.

"If I don't play him, then everyone thinks he is done, and I don't necessarily think that," Girardi said before Tuesday's game. "I still think that he can still be productive for us

After not making himself available during media availability, Rodriguez was approached by a reporter for comment in the dugout following batting practice. Without uttering a word, Rodriguez shook his head and kept walking into the clubhouse. Girardi indicated he had not fully discussed with Rodriguez why he wasn't playing.

"We'll talk at some point," Girardi said. "It is not something that I'm planning on not playing him."

Rodriguez, 40, is batting .170 with six homers and 14 RBIs in 24 games this season. Since returning from the disabled list last week, he has struck out in nine of 16 at-bats. He has one hit, a two-run home run. Over his past 75 games, dating back to last season, Rodriguez is batting .180 with 15 homers and 40 RBIs. Rodriguez is strictly a designated hitter.

Girardi said he did not start Rodriguez in part because Rodriguez is 0-for-14 against Toronto starter J.A. Happ.

"I chose to give him a day off yesterday, he played basically six days in a row," Girardi said, counting two minor league rehab games, "and Happ has been a tough matchup for him, so I chose to give him today off."

Against Wednesday's Blue Jays starter, righty Aaron Sanchez,Rodriguez is 0-for-5 in his career.

On Tuesday, Girardi played Carlos Beltranat designated hitter and Rob Refsnyder in right field. Girardi also sat Brett Gardner, who is batting .186 in May, and putAaron Hicks in left.

Girardi benched Rodriguez for two straight games during the 2012 ALCS. It was unknown at the time, but A-Rod was playing with labrum tear in his hip.